An award-winning Irish film and a Brat Pack documentary – what to watch this week

Monday

Drift, Sky Cinema/NOW TV

Cynthia Erivo plays, Jacqueline, a young refugee who lands alone and penniless on a Greek island. While gathering her strength, she begins a friendship with a tour guide (Alia Shawkat) and together they find the resilience to forge ahead.

Tuesday

Sprint, Netflix

With Usain Bolt retired, who will be the new face of speed? From Sha’Carri Richardson to Noah Lyles, for the very first time, we hear the full story of man and woman’s desire to be the fastest person on the planet. Witness the intense drama, motivation, and personalities behind the relentless pursuit of victory that is compressed into a few heart-stopping seconds.

Wednesday

The Man with 1000 Kids, Netflix

The Man With 1000 Kids uncovers the gripping tale of a charming Dutch scammer, Jonathan Meijer, who is accused of travelling the world deceiving mothers into having his babies on a mass scale. The three-part series investigates the murky world of the fertility industry and uncovers how due to a lack of global regulations, some international fertility clinics continue to allow anonymous donations.

Thursday

Space Cadet, Prime Video

Tiffany “Rex” Simpson (Emma Roberts) has always dreamed of going to space, but life isn’t going as planned. Determined to turn things around, she aims high and inadvertently scams her way into NASA’s ultra-competitive astronaut training program with the help of her supportive best friend Nadine (Poppy Liu). Overwhelmed and lacking scientific expertise, Rex relies on her quick wits, moxie and determination to get to the top of her class. NASA program directors Pam (Gabrielle Union) and Logan (Tom Hopper) certainly take notice, but can this Florida girl get through training and into the cosmos before she blows her cover?

Friday

BRATS, Disney+

In the 1980s, everybody wanted to be in the Brat Pack… well, everyone except them. Director Andrew McCarthy reunites with Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, and more for a new documentary all about the actors and the impact the group had on their lives and careers.

Saturday

The Sparrow, in select Irish cinemas

The Sparrow centres on 17-year-old Kevin Coyle, who in the wake of his mother’s death, becomes increasingly isolated from his overbearing father and older brother Robbie. Grappling with guilt over a deadly secret, his world begins to unravel and Kevin is pushed to confront the truth in a heart-wrenching climax that will change him forever. Directed by Michael Kinirons and starring Éanna Hardwicke, Ollie West and David O’Hara.

Sunday

Eileen, Sky Cinema Premiere/NOW TV

 

Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie) is a peculiar young woman – aloof and unfazed by the gloomy nature of her job at the local youth prison. But something in her changes the day that the new counsellor, Dr Rebecca St. John (Anne Hathaway) arrives. As the two women grow closer, Eileen is inspired to explore new facets of her own personality and desires.

Photography courtesy of Sky.